Did CNN refuse to talk about a viral video showing missile strikes on a "runner" near a church during the Obama administration? No, that's not true: The footage is from the video game "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare", which was released in 2007, well before Obama became President in 2009. CNN did write about the game at the time.
The claim appeared in a post on X (archived here) on December 3, 2025 accompanied by a video clip. The text of the post read:
"Uhh. We got a runner here."
Sickening video of missile strikes at church location during the Obama administration. CNN WON'T talk about this!!
RT if you are SICK of liberal LIES.
"Uhh. We got a runner here."
-- saila (@sailaunderscore) December 3, 2025
Sickening video of missile strikes at church location during the Obama administration. CNN WON'T talk about this!!
RT if you are SICK of liberal LIES. pic.twitter.com/o5RmACebmY
This was the first frame of the video in question:
(Source: screenshot of video in post by @sailaunderscore on X.com)
However a video showing the same events was already available on YouTube in 2011 (archived here):
The video was titled "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Campaign - Death from Above". The video game "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" was released in 2007 (archived here), well before Barack Obama became President in 2009.
CNN did mention the game in a July 27, 2007 writeup (archived here), writing:
'Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare'
Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Xbox 360 and PC) is an incredibly intense modern-day military shooter that drops you in hot spots around the globe as both a U.S. Marine and British Special Air Service soldier. To take on the rogue enemy group that's threatening the world, you will have access to more than 70 authentic weapons as well as accessories such as night-vision goggles and special protective suits. Most of the cinematic action takes place on foot, as you must use the environment as cover (such as walls, tall grass and cars), but gamers can also ride in helicopters and other vehicles. Along with the lengthy single-player campaign, multiple online modes will keep the war alive in cyberspace. This Mature-rated game is due out this fall.
